Push release latches

ABSTRACT

A flush-type push release door latch is disclosed herein having a slidable member carried in a housing adapted to movably position a latching member in holding relationship with respect to a catch member in response to pushing pressure applied to the catch member. Pushing pressure also disengages the latch member from the catch member. The action of the latch member between its position is determined by resilient spring tension on both the slidable member and the latch member.

United States Patent [72] n e PwIMaIbew Mews 2,956,827 10/1960 l-lumphries 292/99 Mllllyloorpark Way #1, North Hollywood, 3,451,702 6/l969 Little 292/99 Calif. 91602 [2] l A 1 No 755,522 Primary Exammer-Marvm A.Champ1on {22] 5 Au 23 1968 Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy -R A Marrs [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [54] PUSH RELEASE LATCHES 6 Claims, 19 Drawing Fig. 52 US. (I 292/336,

292/99 ABSTRACT: A flush-type push release 'door latch is disclosed [5 I] III. Cl. E05!) 63/20, h i h i a lid bl member carried in a hqusing adapted E059 19/10 to movably position a latching member in holding relationship re pe t to a catch member in response to pushing pres.

99, 7; 70/70 sure applied to the catch member. Pushing pressure also disengages the latch member from the catch member. The action [56] Ram CM of the latch member between its position is determined by UNITED STATES PATENTS resilient spring tension on both the slidable member and the 1 2,030,556 Ledin a 70/70 latch member.

' '4 FR I l I I 1 Q I I 49 I Q I I l I Q 1 4 a I 24 I6 36 E- 3 0 r2? I2 6 \o I s3 -L r 4 2 29 1 |8 eo FIGH FIG.|2

INVENTOR.

PAUL MATHEW MERTES PUSH RELEASE LATCIIES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a push release door latching device. An object of the invention is to improve upon what are known as push release door latches by providing a latch with structural strength, ease of mounting latch to any cabinet member and a small amount of outward movement being necessary once the door has been pushed to a closed latched position and released which is advantageous in some types of cabinet installations such as flush door cabinets. Construction of this latch also makes it quite impervious to being made inoperative by sprayed or brushed cabinet finishes.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, illustrative of a preferred, reduced to practice embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the latch as it would appear mounted on a cabinet shelf and facing forward in its operative position.

FIG. 2 through FIG. 7 are sections on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a plan view of the latch and the functioning of its component parts at various stages of the cabinet door position to which the catch member or movable member of the latch device is attached.

FIG. 2 shows the latch in a static or at rest position just before the door is pushed to a closed latched position or just after the door has been pushed inward and unlatched and the catch member has been accelerated out of the latch and the door is moving to a partially open position.

FIG. 3 shows the latch as the door is just beginning to be pushed to a closed latched position.

FIG. 4 shows the latch after the door has been pushed to its 7 inward limit and the catch member has engaged the latching arm.

FIG. 5 shows the latch after the door has been released of hand pressure. The door now being retained in a closed latched position and the latch in a condition to release the door whenever the door is again pushed inward.

FIG. 6 shows the latch after the door has been pushed inward to its limit, the latching member having moved to an at rest position and the door being accelerated to a partially open position upon removal of the hand from the door face.

FIG. 7 shows the latch after the hand has been removed from the door face and the door is being accelerated to a partially open position. The latch therefore being made ready to have the door either pushed or slammed to a closed latched position.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the latch.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the latch housing as it appears from the bottom.

FIG. 10 is a section on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the catch member.

FIG. 12 is a frontal elevation of the catch member.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the catch member.

FIG. 14 is a section on line 14-14 ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the slide member of the latch.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the latching member.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the latching member.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the slide return spring and latching member activating spring assembly.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the latching member return spring.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the stationary member of the latch comprises the latch housing 10, FIG. 9. This housing being fabricated of relatively heavy sheet metal having a rectangular top portion 14, two sides 9, a rear wall portion 11 and two frontal portions 12. The two rectangular portions 13 which are deflected extensions of the sides 9 and whose function is to contain the slide 28. A removed rectangular top portion 19 to allow passage'of the slide member portion 22 FIG. 15 and catch member 66. An upstanding portion 17 being a deflected portion of the top 14 and functions as a guide, pivotal point and bearing member for the latching member 36 FIG. 16. An upstanding pin 16 acting as a guide for latching member 36. The housing having an upstanding pin or rivet 15 to function as a pivotal point for springs 49 and 50. The housing having two slotted openings 10a for attaching the latch to a suitable cabinet member. The housing having a small hole 20 for retaining latching member return spring portion 56.

The housing to contain a slidably moving slide member 28 FIG. 15 and 14 fabricated of a lighter guage sheet metal consisting of a flat bottom surface 29 and at each side a deflected right angle portion 26 to act as guides against the sides 9 of housing 10. The portions 26 also provide a clearance between slide bottom portion 29 and latching member 36, there being also an upstanding portion 22 at right angles to the bottom portion 29 to act as a striking surface for catch member 66. FIG. 14 portion 22 having a rearwardly deflected portion 21 at right angles to portion 22 that functions as a cover for the latch housing cut out 19 there being provided a clearance between latch housing top 14 and portion 21 as in FIG. 8 so that cover portion 21 can move towards the rear of latch housing 10. Bottom portion 29 being provided with two rectangular cutout portions 27 at rear edge of said bottom 29 to allow space for the latch housing fastening screws and the pin 15 when the slide 28 is moved toward the rear of the housing.

Latch housing 10 receives a slidably and pivotally mounted latching member 36, FIG. 16, which is fabricated of relatively thick sheet metal. This member consists of a rectangular longer main portion 30 having at one end a forwardly directed portion 31 at right angles to said main portion 30. To this portion extends a sidewardly directed portion 32 to be referred to as a latching arm portion being at right angles to the forwardly directed portion 31 and paralleling said main portion 30 and this portion terminating at about midlength of said portion 30 with a cam-shaped end portion 34, latching member 36 having a notched cut out 41 in the outside corner of portion 30 at the end to which the forwardly directed portion 31 is attached. This notch 41 has a lateral edge surface 42 and an adjoining surface 43 at approximately right angles. The notch surface 43 has a channel 40 entrance a slight distance above the notch surface 42. This channel 40 being forwardly inclined to about the center of the width of portion 30 and then running parallel with the portion to approximately midlength of the portion 30. This channel therefore providing an inclined surface portion 39. A detailed function of surface portion 39, channel 40 and notched portion 41 will follow later.

Latching member 36 is provided with three raised portions 44 on the top and one on the bottom side. The raised portions 44 being provided to reduce friction between the latching member 36, the slide member 28 and the latch housing top 14. The raised portions provides clearance between latching member 36 and latch housing top 14 for latching member return spring 60 FIG. 19 and portion of spring arm 52 FIG. 18. A notch 37 being also provided in the forwardly directed portion 31 for retaining the upright arm portion 59 of return spring 60.

Latch housing 10 contains two coil springs pivotally mounted on upstanding pin 15 FIG. 18. Spring 50 .constructed of a lighter gauge material than spring 49. Spring 49 functioning as the slide member 28 return. An arm 45 of the spring 49 bearing against the rear wall 11 of latch housing 10. Spring arm 54 of the spring 49 has a right angle bend for a short distance near its end that terminates in another right angle bend at right angles to the normal acting plane of spring arm 54. This spring portion 46 bears against the rear edge 24 of slide member 28. This arm 46 has a slight bent end portion to retain the looped end 48 of spring arm 47. The arm 51 of latching member activating spring 50 has a portion 52 deflected in the acting plane of the spring at approximately right angles. This allows the spring arm 51 to stay clear of the latch housing slot 10a. Terminating at the end of this portion is a right angle bend providing an upstanding portion 53. This portion 53 engages the notch 41 of the latching member 36 FIG. 16 and the relationship of both will be detailed in following paragraphs.

Latch housing also contains a latching member 36 return spring 60 FIG. 19. This spring being of a lighter guage than the latching member activating spring 50. The reason for this will be explained in following paragraphs. The spring 60 has an arm 55 with a short portion 56 deflected in the acting plane of the spring through about one-half of a right angle. This portion retaining the arm 55 in the opening of latch housing 10. There is a free moving coiled portion 57 that is positioned between the latch housing portion 17 and the pin 16. The other spring arm 58 terminating in a short portion 59 bent at right angles to the normal plane and a short portion 67 at right angles to portion 59. These two portions serve to retain arm 58 in notch 37 of latching member 36.

FIGS. 11 through 13 show views of the movable catch member 66 that attaches to some relatively movable member such as a door, drawer or panel. The catch member being fabricated of a heavy sheet metal. Catch member 66 has a rectangular flat baseportion 61 provided with a hole 62 and slotted opening 62' for attaching the catch member 66 to some movable member. Joined at right angles to the vertical side of portion 61 is a forwardly deflected rectangular portion 63 terminating in a sideward deflected hooked end portion 64 having a short rearwardly facing portion, the edge surface which will engagev the edge surface of latching arm portion 32.

The operation of the latch and its cooperating movable catch member will now be explained in detail.

Starting with FIG. 2 which shows the latch as the parts would appear just after the door face has been pushed inward enough to unlatch the door; the hand then being removed and the catch member engaged, the door having been accelerated by the latch is moving to a partially open position or conversely the latch in a static condition just before the door has started to be pushed to a closed latched position. In either instance, the latch is in a static or at rest position. The latching member 36 being held in its position by the latch housing top 14 and the flat bottom portion 29 of the slide 28. The end of portion 30 of latching member 36 is held in a slidable and pivotal position by the upstanding pin 16 and upstanding latch housing portion 17. The other end of portion 30 is positioned by the portion 53 of latching member activating spring 50 which bears against the surface 42 of the notch 41. The edge surface of portion 31 of latching member 36 bears against the side of portion 26 of slide 28. This position is maintained by the latching member return spring 60 which is in a tensioned condition providing a rearward and sideward component. The return spring 60 being positioned by the spring end portion 56 in latch housing hole 20. The other end of spring 60 portion 59 is positioned in the notch 37 of latching member 36. The coiled portion 57 bears against the edge 18 of upstanding latch housing portion 17. The slide member 28 is held in its extreme forward position by the pivotally mounted spring 49. The spring being in a tensioned condition with arm bearing against the rear wall 11 of latch housing 10. The arm 46 of the spring bears against the rear edge 24 of slide member 28. Now as the slide member 28 is forced to the rear by catch member 66 attached to door 65, the slide member 28 return spring 49 is further tensioned. The latching member activating spring 50 is also being tensioned as is latching member 36 due to the spring portion 53 of spring 50 being engaged in notch 41 of the latching member and thereby forcing the cam-shaped end 34 of the latching arm portion 32 into sliding contact with edge surface 25 FIG. 3 of catch striking portion 22 of slide member 28. The latchingmember 36 is therefore being held in a tensioned stationary position. Now as soon as edge surface 25 of catch striking portion 22 of slide member 28 disengages edge surface 34 of latching arm portion 32 in its rearward travel, the edge surface 34 of latching arm portion 32 will then immediately make contact with the rearwardly directed portion of hooked end 64 of catch member .66. The latching member 36 return spring 60 is now also further tensioned, it being constructed of a lighter gauge material than the latching member activating spring 50. The tension in spring 50 being greater will therefore always have the ability to force the latching arm portion 32 to enter the removed top portion 19 of latch housing 10 whenever the slide member 28 is forced to the rear of latch housing 10. Now the edge surface 34 of latching arm portion 32 will retain contact with hooked end portion 64 until the catch member 66 in its rearward travel disengages edge surface 34 of latching arm portion 32, edge surface 34 then immediately coming in contact with the side surface of portion 63 of catch member 66. The latching arm portion 32 of latching member 36 has now slid behind the vertical edge surface of hooked end portion 64 of catch member 66 as in FIG. 4, and the coiled portion 57 of return spring 60 has now moved to the position shown in FIG. 4. The door is now ready to be released of hand pressure and retained in a closed latched position as in FIG. 5. Now as the door is released of hand pressure, hooked end 64 of catch member 66 being in a tensioned condition due to its contact with tensioned slide member 28 and being in a hooked or engaged condition with latching arm portion 32 will cause the latching member 36 to swing in a forwardly direction, the distance being the amount that is needed to disengage the spring portion 53 of tensioned latching member activating spring 50 from the notched portion 41 of latching member 36. This distance being approximately the diameter of the latching member activating spring 50. Now the spring portion 53 of tensioned latching member activating spring 50 after passing over the notch surface 43 then comes in contact with the forwardly inclined surface 39 of latching member 36. This inclined surface being a portion of the rear edge of channel 40. The spring portion 53 abutting against the inclined edge portion 39 of latching member 36 is therefore retaining the latching arm portion 32 in an engaged position with catch member 66 by preventing the tensioned latching member return spring 60 from sliding the latching member 36 to its static or at rest position as in FIG. 2 and said latching member 36 is now being restrained in latch housing 10 by the edge surface 38 of portion 30 of said latching member 36 bearing against the upstanding latch housing portion 17 A further advantage of this latch construction will now be explained.

Now since the end surface portion 34 of latching arm portion 32 is approximately at the midlength position of portion 30 of latching member 36, it. will be evident that the end surface portion 34 of latching arm portion 32 will always be closer to the fulcrum point which is upstanding latch housing portion 17 than will the notched portion 41 of latching member 36. Therefore, any outward movement of catch number 66 when engaged with latching arm portion 32 will be approximately half the distance that is required of notched portion 41 of latching member 36 to disengage from spring portion 53 of latching member activating spring 50. Therefore, the distance that the catch engaged door 65 moves outward after being pushed to a closed latched position FIG. 4 and then released FIG. 5 is a very insignificant amount. And as was previously mentioned, it is a desirable feature for a latch of this type in some types of cabinet installations. The latched door FIG. 5 can now be opened whenever desired by simply pushing the door 65 to its inward limit and then removing the hand from the door face, the door 65 then being accelerated to a partially opened position. Now when the door 65 is pushed inward to its limit, catch member 66 will push the tensioned slide member 28 rearward a slight distance thereby allowing the latching member 36 being tensioned by the latching member return spring 60 in a rearward and side acting manner to swing toward the rear of latch housing 10 far enough to disengage the spring portion 53 of tensioned latching member activating spring 50 from the forwardly inclined portion 39 of latching member 36. The latching member 36 now unrestrained by spring portion 53 of said spring 50 and tensioned by latching member return spring 60 is forced to slide immediately to its at rest position FIG. 6, being guided to said position by the upstanding pin 16 and upstanding latch housing portion 17 and the spring portion 53 of latching member activating spring 50 engaged in channel 40 of said latching member 36. Now the spring portion 53 of tensioned latching member activating spring 50 after disengaging from inclined face portion 39 will move forward a short distance in channel 40 until said spring 50 is no longer in a tensioned condition. If the hand is now removed from the door face, the tensioned slide member 28 return spring 49 arm portion 46 bearing on slide member 28 will begin accelerating catch member 66 and attached door 65 as in FIG. 7 to an eventual partially opened position. Now as the spring arm portion 46 of tensioned slide return spring 49 is moving in a forward direction as it accelerates the slide member 28 to its at rest position FIG. 2, the spring portion 53 of latching member activating spring 50 is also being returned to its at rest position FIG. 2, since the arm 47 of said spring 50 is attached to arm 46 by looped means 48'. Now as the spring portion 53 reaches the radiused sloping portion of channel 40, it will force the latching member 36 to swing forward far enough to allow the spring portion 53 to enter the notched portion 41 of latching member 36. At the same time the slide member 28 will make contact with the back side of frontal portions 12. The latch device is now in an at rest position FIG. 2 being in a condition for the opened door 65 to either be pushed or slammed to a closed latched position.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that various changes therein may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A latching device for two members relatively movable toward each other'to a limited travel position, a catch element carried by one of said members, a latching unit carried by the other of said members, whereby movement of one of said members into engagement with the other causes said members to be releasably latched together, said latching unit comprising a latch housing with a top wall, two sidewalls with inwardly directed flanges, and a front and rear wall, said housing mounting therewithin a slide member and a slidably and pivotally mounted latching member, said slide member movable rearwardly from a position parallel to said front wall to a position adjacent and parallel to said rear wall, and said latching member movable laterally from a position adjacent one of said sidewalls toward said other sidewall, said front wall and said top wall at the longitudinal centerline of said housing having a substantially rectangular notched portion to pennit rearward movement of said slide member and said catch member to latch said members together, said top wall having an upstanding pin rearwardly spaced from and in line with an upstanding portion from an edge of aid notched portion forming guide means therebetween for an elongated portion of said latching member, an upstanding pin in said housing for pivotally mounting a return spring for said 'slide member and an activating spring for said latch member, said return spring tensioning said slide member and having a pair of arms extending from said pin, one arm bearing on the rear wall of said latch housing and the other arm having a bent end portion bearing on the rear edge of said slide member, said activating spring having a pair of arms extending from said pin, one arm terminating in a looped end surrounding and engaging said bent end portion of said return spring and the other arm having a right angled portion terminating in an upstanding right .angle bend portion which engages an end portion of said latching member to move it laterally, said slide member having a flat bottom portion with two rectangular cutout portions at the rear edge of said bottom, each of which is adjacent an integral side portion, and extending centrally from the forward edge is an upstanding catch member striking portion having an integral rearward extending latch housing cover portion parallel to said bottom portion, said return spring maintaining said striking portion substantially flush with said front wall in an unlatched and rest position, said latching member having a horizontal elongated portion, one end of which has an integral right angular forward directing portion terminating in an integral right angular latching arm portion parallel to and extending in the direction of the other end of said elongated portion and having a cam-shaped end portion, said latching member having raised portions to reduce friction and provide a clearance between said latch housing top wall and said latching member for said slide member return spring and said latching member activating spring end portion, said latching member having a return spring always in a tensioned condition and providing a rearward and sideward force component, said spring having a coiled portion and a pair of arms, with one arm end portion extending from said coiled portion and bearing against a notched portion of the forwardly directed portion of said latching member, and said other end portion extending from said coiled portion and engaged in a latch housing hole, with the coiled portion bearing against an edge of said upstanding portion from an edge of said notched portion of said top and front wall, said latching member when said spring is so mounted being in an unlatched and rest position, said member carrying said catch element movable rearwardly toward said striking portion, said catch element bearing against said portion causing it to move rearwardly further tensioning said slide member return spring and said latching member activating spring, an edge of said striking portion being engaged by said cam-shaped end portion laterally moved by said activating spring, further rearward movement of said catch element causing said edge to be disengaged and said activating spring to move said latching member further laterally permitting a portion of said catch element to engage a rear face of said right angular latching arm portion further tensioning said latching member, and a slight movement forwardly of said catch element causing said activating spring to be disengaged from said latching member end portion, said latching member having means thereon engaged by said spring to hold said latching arm portion in engagement with said catch element and causing said members to be releasably latched together toward said limited travel position, rearward movement of said catch element to said limited travel position causing said slide member to move slightly rearwardly permitting said spring to be disengaged from'said means and permitting said latching member to be moved laterally by said latching member return spring unlatching said members and returning said latching member to the rest position, said slide member return spring bearing against said member and moving it forwardly against said catch element permitting said activating spring to again engage said end portion of said latching member and returning said slide member striking portion to its rest position.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 and a latching member fabricated of a relatively heavy sheet metal consisting of a rectangular and longer main portion and a paralleling latching arm portion extending to about midlength of said main portion and terminating in a cam-shaped end portion and one end of each of said portions being joined by a portion at right angles to each of said paralleling portions; a notched cutout portion formed in the outside corner of said main portion end that is joined at right angles to said latching arm portion and said notch having a lateral edge surface and an adjoining edge surface at approximately right angles; a channel entering said adjoining surface a slight distance from said lateral edge surface and extending in a forwardly inclined manner to about the center of width of said main portion and then paralleling said main portion to about midlength of said main portion.

The subject matter of claim 1 and said latching member activating spring, being a coil spring and one arm of said spring terminating in a looped end and the other arm of said spring terminating in an upstanding end portion bent at right angles to said arm.

The subject matter of claim 1 and said latching member return spring having two arm portions and a free moving coiled portion.

In a push release door latching device cooperating with a catch member carried on said door, the combination compris ing:

a housing having an opening defined between its opposite sides communicating the interior thereof with the outside so as to receive said catch member;

a trip member slidably carried on said housing extending between and in slidable supporting relationship with said sides and having a portion thereof positionable into and out of said opening in interfering relationship to said catch member;

first spring means normally urging said trip member so that said portion is positioned in said opening;

said trip member movable in a rectilinear direction towards and away from said opening;

a latch member slidably carried on said housing and movable in a lateral and arcuate direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of said trip member;

said latch member having a hook portion defining a lateral opening so as to insertably receive and engage with said trip member and said catch member when said latch member moves in said lateral arcuate path;

second spring means operably carried on said housing and forcibly bearing against said trip member and said latch member and responsive to movement of said trip member 25 to forcibly urge said latch member into releasable holding engagement with said catch member fixedly carried on the door; and

said second spring means comprising a coil spring having one arm of said spring terminating in a looped end bearing against said trip member and the other arm of said spring terminating in an upstanding end portion bent at a right angle to said arm,

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said latch member includes a rectangular main portion and a paralleling latching arm portion extending to about midlength of said main portion;

a body portion integrally joining selected ends of said main and latching arm portions;

a notched cutout formed in the outside corner of said main portion end that is joined at right angles to said latching arm portion;

said notched cutout having a lateral edge surface and an adjoining edge surface at approximately right angles; and

a channel entering said adjoining surface spaced from said lateral edge surface and extending in a forwardly inclined manner to about the center of width of said main portion and then paralleling said main portion to about midlength of said main portion. 

1. A latching device for two members relatively movable toward each other to a limited travel position, a catch element carried by one of said members, a latching unit carried by the other of said members, whereby movement of one of said members into engagement with the other causes said members to be releasably latched together, said latching unit comprising a latch housing with a top wall, two sidewalls with inwardly directed flanges, and a front and rear wall, said housing mounting therewithin a slide member and a slidably and pivotally mounted latching member, said slide member movable reaRwardly from a position parallel to said front wall to a position adjacent and parallel to said rear wall, and said latching member movable laterally from a position adjacent one of said sidewalls toward said other sidewall, said front wall and said top wall at the longitudinal centerline of said housing having a substantially rectangular notched portion to permit rearward movement of said slide member and said catch member to latch said members together, said top wall having an upstanding pin rearwardly spaced from and in line with an upstanding portion from an edge of aid notched portion forming guide means therebetween for an elongated portion of said latching member, an upstanding pin in said housing for pivotally mounting a return spring for said slide member and an activating spring for said latch member, said return spring tensioning said slide member and having a pair of arms extending from said pin, one arm bearing on the rear wall of said latch housing and the other arm having a bent end portion bearing on the rear edge of said slide member, said activating spring having a pair of arms extending from said pin, one arm terminating in a looped end surrounding and engaging said bent end portion of said return spring and the other arm having a right angled portion terminating in an upstanding right angle bend portion which engages an end portion of said latching member to move it laterally, said slide member having a flat bottom portion with two rectangular cutout portions at the rear edge of said bottom, each of which is adjacent an integral side portion, and extending centrally from the forward edge is an upstanding catch member striking portion having an integral rearward extending latch housing cover portion parallel to said bottom portion, said return spring maintaining said striking portion substantially flush with said front wall in an unlatched and rest position, said latching member having a horizontal elongated portion, one end of which has an integral right angular forward directing portion terminating in an integral right angular latching arm portion parallel to and extending in the direction of the other end of said elongated portion and having a cam-shaped end portion, said latching member having raised portions to reduce friction and provide a clearance between said latch housing top wall and said latching member for said slide member return spring and said latching member activating spring end portion, said latching member having a return spring always in a tensioned condition and providing a rearward and sideward force component, said spring having a coiled portion and a pair of arms, with one arm end portion extending from said coiled portion and bearing against a notched portion of the forwardly directed portion of said latching member, and said other end portion extending from said coiled portion and engaged in a latch housing hole, with the coiled portion bearing against an edge of said upstanding portion from an edge of said notched portion of said top and front wall, said latching member when said spring is so mounted being in an unlatched and rest position, said member carrying said catch element movable rearwardly toward said striking portion, said catch element bearing against said portion causing it to move rearwardly further tensioning said slide member return spring and said latching member activating spring, an edge of said striking portion being engaged by said cam-shaped end portion laterally moved by said activating spring, further rearward movement of said catch element causing said edge to be disengaged and said activating spring to move said latching member further laterally permitting a portion of said catch element to engage a rear face of said right angular latching arm portion further tensioning said latching member, and a slight movement forwardly of said catch element causing said activating spring to be disengaged from said latching member end portion, said latching member having means thereon engaged by said spring to hold said latcHing arm portion in engagement with said catch element and causing said members to be releasably latched together toward said limited travel position, rearward movement of said catch element to said limited travel position causing said slide member to move slightly rearwardly permitting said spring to be disengaged from said means and permitting said latching member to be moved laterally by said latching member return spring unlatching said members and returning said latching member to the rest position, said slide member return spring bearing against said member and moving it forwardly against said catch element permitting said activating spring to again engage said end portion of said latching member and returning said slide member striking portion to its rest position.
 2. The subject matter of claim 1 and a latching member fabricated of a relatively heavy sheet metal consisting of a rectangular and longer main portion and a paralleling latching arm portion extending to about midlength of said main portion and terminating in a cam-shaped end portion and one end of each of said portions being joined by a portion at right angles to each of said paralleling portions; a notched cutout portion formed in the outside corner of said main portion end that is joined at right angles to said latching arm portion and said notch having a lateral edge surface and an adjoining edge surface at approximately right angles; a channel entering said adjoining surface a slight distance from said lateral edge surface and extending in a forwardly inclined manner to about the center of width of said main portion and then paralleling said main portion to about midlength of said main portion.
 3. The subject matter of claim 1 and said latching member activating spring, being a coil spring and one arm of said spring terminating in a looped end and the other arm of said spring terminating in an upstanding end portion bent at right angles to said arm.
 4. The subject matter of claim 1 and said latching member return spring having two arm portions and a free moving coiled portion.
 5. In a push release door latching device cooperating with a catch member carried on said door, the combination comprising: a housing having an opening defined between its opposite sides communicating the interior thereof with the outside so as to receive said catch member; a trip member slidably carried on said housing extending between and in slidable supporting relationship with said sides and having a portion thereof positionable into and out of said opening in interfering relationship to said catch member; first spring means normally urging said trip member so that said portion is positioned in said opening; said trip member movable in a rectilinear direction towards and away from said opening; a latch member slidably carried on said housing and movable in a lateral and arcuate direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of said trip member; said latch member having a hook portion defining a lateral opening so as to insertably receive and engage with said trip member and said catch member when said latch member moves in said lateral arcuate path; second spring means operably carried on said housing and forcibly bearing against said trip member and said latch member and responsive to movement of said trip member to forcibly urge said latch member into releasable holding engagement with said catch member fixedly carried on the door; and said second spring means comprising a coil spring having one arm of said spring terminating in a looped end bearing against said trip member and the other arm of said spring terminating in an upstanding end portion bent at a right angle to said arm.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said latch member includes a rectangular main portion and a paralleling latching arm portion extending to about midlength of said main portion; a body portion integrally joining selected ends of said main and latChing arm portions; a notched cutout formed in the outside corner of said main portion end that is joined at right angles to said latching arm portion; said notched cutout having a lateral edge surface and an adjoining edge surface at approximately right angles; and a channel entering said adjoining surface spaced from said lateral edge surface and extending in a forwardly inclined manner to about the center of width of said main portion and then paralleling said main portion to about midlength of said main portion. 